Potato flowers

[adjohnson1971]

I planted some seed potatoes in bags in the back yard today and after my hard work sat down to read a page or 2 of my new library book "River Cottage Handbook No4 - veg patch" In the growing potatoes section it mentions that " removing flowers as they appear is an easy way to increase yield" I like to think i've read a fair few gardening books but I've never heard of this before. Is this correct and if so can anyone shed any light on it please.

[Matt94]

ive never heard of that either, the only way i know about increasing a potato yield is to earth them up.

[Bigmallly]

I've not heard of it but it appears to be the case by some as it is supposed to promote growth to the root and not the fruit.


How to Remove Any Flower Heads or Buds From Potato Plants | eHow.com

[Two_Sheds]

the only way i know about increasing a potato yield is to earth them up.

and to feed more, water more

[super trowel]

Well they say you learn something new every day

[Bigmallly]

It actually makes sense cos as we know all plants try to do is make seed so by removing the flower encourages more growth..........I'm sure I could have worded that better but I'm too tired...........

[super trowel]

Well they say you learn something new every day

But plus one on the never hearing that before

[Bigmallly]

Another bladdy experiment looming.......must write it down or I'll forget.

[Maccabee]

Probably, but i quite like the flowers as do the bees, plus there's the added hassle...

[Bigmallly]

Probably, but i quite like the flowers as do the bees, plus there's the added hassle...

Point taken Maccabee but it's the tatties I want, not the fruits.

[Potstubsdustbins]

As per 2Sheds above if you don't water and feed correctly you can remove flowers all day and the harvest will still be carp.

Colin

[solway cropper]

The problem with a lot of stuff in books is that it might well be theoretically true but is of limited practical use. Like the others say, feed and water your spuds...they are very hungry creatures.

[Thelma Sanders]

I thought people only bothered to remove the flowers to stop the fruit setting - because the fruit is poisonous

If removing flowers increased yields then farmers would have found a way to do so mechanically

[snakeshack]

I read about this about 2 years ago but cannot locate the source (senior moment) however I remember that a 10 percent increase in yield was mentioned as the plant does not use energy setting/growing fruit.
I honestly can't be bothered to pick every flower off for 10 per cent & suspect it would not be viable commercially either

[Bigmallly]

Would be interesting to get tattiemans take on this subject.